Friday, Oct 23, 2015

COME HOME

ATTENTION:

Beginning with this study, there will be a $10 fee to cover the cost of the Study Books. There will be basket near the door as you come into the room. You may place your money in this basket. This is a voluntary action to help off-set some of the costs for the church.

How to Get the Most From This Study

• Attend each group session
• Watch DVD teaching
• Participate in the group discussion
• Complete the content in the Bible Study Book
• Read the daily lessons and complete the learning activities
• Memorize each week's suggested memory verse
• Ask God to show you how to bring home the wanderers you know
• Ask God to show you ways you've wandered from His truth

Check out the video "PRODIGAL" from the Sidewalk Prophets

Something in this video will speak to you!

Session 1

"Go Get the Wanderer"

James 5:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

The PROBLEM exists

• No one is beyond the reach of God's GRACE.
• To wander: to proceed without a proper sense of DIRECTION.
• Both things happen: people just foolishly wander off, or relationships come and get in someone's head and TAKE them away.
• Wandering begins with an initial STEP.
• People who have wandered from the truth are not in the light; they're in DARKNESS.

The REMEDY is possible

• Almighty God RECEIVES back wanderers. He restores them. He forgives them. He celebrates them.
• Probably the person CLOSEST to you, God's going to have to touch someone else's heart to go get them.
• There are people right now who are out there WANDERING. Who do you need to go find?

The STAKES are high 

• Save his soul from DEATH. (Rev 20:14-15)
• False professions and fake Christians leave and never come back. TRUE Christians , though they may wander, come back. (Phil. 1:6)
• Risky business to go out for WANDERERS

The REWARD is great

• The past can be forgiven. The hurts can be healed. The sin can be atoned for. That's the great message of the GOSPEL. ( Psalm 32:1) (1 Peter 4:8) (Luke 15:32)

SEE YOU NEXT WEDNESDAY!!!!

GO GET THE WANDERER!!!!

NEXT WEEK 

"The Fearful Wanderer"

Peter "The Rock"

NEW STUDY - BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY

NEW STUDY ......

BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY....

James MacDonald's

James 5:19-20 (ESV)

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

The Wanderer

Either, you are one, you have been one, or you know one.

Their lives are filled with foolish choices and little regard for consequences. Bent on getting away from those who love them, they sometimes wander so far off the path they no longer know the way back. It's painful to watch and hard to understand.

Come Home is....

... an invitation to all wanderers - and those who love them

... a call to greater awareness for the lost and hurting

... a challenge to bring back those who are missing

... the cry of Jesus' heart

The Wanderer

Dion and The Belmonts

1961

#2 Song in 1961

#239 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Check out this video with the song "The Wanderer" being performed. Sing along if you wish because the lyrics are provided. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

 THANK YOU, 

J.P. SAWYER!

Want to send a big thank you to JP for leading and facilitating our group last Wednesday night. 

Looking forward to our session this week!!!

GOD, MONEY, AND THE  LAST DAYS

Focus Scripture

James 5: 7-11

Warning to Rich Oppressors

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

COME HOME PREVIEW 

Update for WNBS

WORDS CAN HURT OR HEAL.....

WHAT DID YOURS DO TODAY?

This Week's Study

Session Five

"The Weight of Words"

James 3:2-5a, 7-10

Assignment for this week:

So here is a suggested timeline:
Breaking it down to small bites!!!

• Everyday: Read James 3:2-5a, 7-10 (pg 89)

• Saturday: Read INTRO of session 5 & The Power of the Tongue (pg 89-92) Answer questions!!!!

• Sunday: Read The Tongue Is Powerful: Little Leads the Big & The Tongue Is Dangerous: Big Consequences (pg 92-96) - Answer questions!!!

• Monday: Read Deadly Poison & It Should Not Be This Way (pg 96-101) - Answer questions

• Tuesday: Read Apply To Life (pg 102) - Answer questions

• Wednesday: Morning or Noon (go back over the questions and your answers)

• Wednesday Night: Great sharing and discussion time 

FROM LAST WEEK, SOME OF YOU WANTED TO SEE JOHN PIPER'S VIDEO

"Stop Treating Jesus Like Your Plumber"

Click here: JOHN PIPER

FAITH - WORKS

A big "thank you" to all of you who were present last Wednesday. I hope you got a good picture of "Faith and Works". James and Paul were advocating the same thing but pursuing it from different directions.

My brother posted the following story to his Facebook account. I believe it shows "Faith and Works".

********************************************************************************

This evening as I was leaving Best Buy, I noticed this man going through the garbage can outside of the store. As I walked to my car I watched him as he reached in the garbage can and pulled out fast food trash bags and inspected all that was in the thrown away bags. He did this for several minutes. He would find a few fries in one bag and a bite or two of a hamburger in another bag. You can see the hamburger wrapper by his knee where he was placing the food items he'd found.

He never bothered anyone or tried to stop and beg for money as people entered and left the store. After he went through the entire trash can he neatly cleaned up the area and wrapped up the food he found in the dirty hamburger wrapper. My heart literally hurt for him. I am not someone who just hands out money or even helps homeless people because so many are not truly homeless. I don't guess I've ever seen someone actually go through a garbage can to try to find food to eat.

I knew I had to help him. I got out of my car and asked him if I could buy him something to eat. He told me he would appreciate anything I could get him. He was on a bike and I told him if he'd follow me I'd buy him a meal at the fast food place around the block. He followed me and I bought him the biggest meal they had on the menu. The only request he gave me for his order was if I could get him a big glass of sweet tea to go with his meal! 

When I brought him his food, he was so thankful. He told me his name was Steve and he'd been homeless ever since his sister died last September. He was trying to get off the streets, but it was so hard. I told him God loved him and I would pray for him. He told me again how much he appreciated the meal.

When I got back in my car, I drove off with such a heaviness in my heart for this man. I drove down the road and felt compelled to go back to help this man. When I came back he had finished his meal and was riding away. I pulled up beside him and asked him if there was any way I could help him. He told me not really. He never asked me for money. I asked him if I could buy him a few meals and put it on a gift card for him. He told me that would be so kind. I drove to McDonalds and bought him some meals and gave him a gift card.

He broke down crying. He told me that he prayed for me today! I wasn't sure what he meant (I was assuming he was praying for me for what I did for him) so I thanked him. He said, "No, you don't understand. I prayed that God would send someone to buy me a hot meal today...and he sent you!" I didn't know what to say...I was speechless! Praying for a hot meal wasn't a prayer I had prayed today! Come to think of it, that's not a prayer I've ever prayed! I always pray over my food, but I've never prayed for a meal...its expected! I've never doubted that I wouldn't be able to eat...Tears began to fill my eyes! Oh my...how blessed am I... Maybe God used me to answer this man's prayer...to let him know that He cares for Him and knows what goes going through! But, maybe God used this man to show me just how blessed I am and what I take for granted...

He said, "You see, I have cancer!" He pulled up his shirt and pointed to a huge mass that was poking out from his stomach. He said said he knew it wouldn't be much longer. I asked him if knew Jesus. He told me that he did. I asked if I could pray for him and he said that I could. We prayed right there on the sidewalk of McDonalds. Tears just poured from his eyes. He told me he knew that he was going to die and that he was ready to die. He was tired of being in pain and he would be better off dead because this was no life - living this way. I stayed and encouraged him for a few minutes trying to fight back my tears. My prayer is that I showed him the love of Jesus today...that something I said gave him a hope.

You see, everybody has a story! I know Steve's story now...all because I felt compelled to help him...he ended up touching me today!

When I left him, I knew I had done what God wanted me to do! God put him in my path today...I know he did! I've never felt such a feeling to help someone as I did today. I was reminded again of how blessed I am! I have a vehicle that gets me from place to place, I have a roof over my head, clean clothes, money to buy a hot meal, running water, electricity, my health, a job, family, and friends! Sometimes God sends situations our way to remind us of how blessed we are! If you've read this far, please remember Steve in your prayers!

Yes, I have been blessed, God's so good to me! Precious are His thoughts of you and me! There's no way I could count them, there's not enough time, so I'll just thank Him for being so kind. God has been good, so good! I have been blessed!

How are you showing your Faith?????

The playlist for 

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING: Lessons from James

is on YouTube

Click on this link:  YOUTUBE

This week is going to be a great week of study..... 

SEE YOU WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!!!!!

Session Three of "This Changes Everything"

Session Three: With Every Trial, A Temptation

Focus Scripture: James 1:13-25
Other Scripture: 
Deuteronomy 8:1-2
Genesis 2:15-17
Matthew 4:1
Mark 1:12
Luke 4:3
Proverbs 7:10-27

Have you ever been tempted? 

You know we all have experienced this. How did we handle it? Was there repercussions from our choice? Will we handle it differently in the future?

How does God want us to handle situations that we know are culturally and spiritually wrong? Can there be "JOY" in the ways we handle temptation?
Lot of questions..........

Want some answers? See you Wednesday night!!!!!!

I received this information from JP Sawyer, Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee:

For those that were not at church on Sunday – the Pastor Search Committee candidate will be preaching in both morning services Sunday Sept.  13.   There will be a special business meeting at 6:00 pm on Sept. 13 at which time the church will vote on the candidate.  Please try to attend and participate in the business meeting.  

Thanks, JP

I am confident that you will want to participate in this event.

Update from Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Update from Wednesday, Aug 26th

A new study kicked-off at the WNBS@FBCE (Wednesday Bible Study at First Baptist Enterprise)This past Wednesday. We welcomed our new members and veteran (old) members. We had 30 participants (if I was counting it was a little less than 100), so you see, we have plenty of chairs even for you!!!!

Assignment for this week:

1. Finish reading the first session (pg 22-28) and answer the questions as you go. We will cover some of these in the opening (review) session at our next meeting.
2. I encourage you to use the Apply To Life activities on page 28 as you move through this next week.
3. Read Session Two: Joy In Pain and answer questions as you go through the material. If you do not want to write in your book, I would suggest answering in a journal or notebook.

So here is a suggested timeline:

• Everyday: Read James 1:2-12 (pg 33)
• Thursday - Friday: Complete #1 above
• Saturday: Read INTRO of session 2 & REJOICE WHEN (NOT IF) YOU FACE TRIALS (pg 33-35) - Answer questions!!!!
• Sunday: Read REJOICE BECAUSE YOU KNOW SOMETHING (pg 35-37) - Answer questions!!!
• Monday: Read THE GAIN FROM PAIN (pg 37-40) - Answer questions
• Tuesday: Read THE BENEFITS FROM WISDOM (pg 40-46) - Answer questions
• Wednesday: Morning or Noon (go back over the questions and your answers)
• Wednesday Night: Great sharing and discussion time 

Please join us on August 26th to kickoff a new study on Wednesday Nights!

         THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING: Lessons from James   

8 session study for adults by Ben Stuart that unpacks the Book of James. The world desperately needs Christians whose actions match their convictions. Generations, young and older, are rising, and we need to see the power of the gospel working its way out into our everyday lives. Enter James, the half-brother of Jesus. Be warned, everything is on the table. James will call us to evaluate the way we deal with hardship, handle money, use our words, and plan our futures. But if we will let him in, James's letter has the potential for our outside to match our inside, our activity to match our God-given identity.

Join us as author Ben Stuart unfolds the teachings of James, who went from skeptic to believer. Just as James came face-to-face with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he wants the same for you—whether you're wondering what being a Christian is all about or you've been following Christ for years. What James knew then still holds true today. When we encounter Jesus, He will change everything. 

SESSION SIX – 

LOVE LANGUAGE FIVE

Physical Touch

• Physical touch is one of the fundamental ways of expressing love.
• Not all touches are of equal value.
• Don’t assume a touch that makes you feel loved will make your spouse feel loved.

• Explicit touches require your full attention.
• Implicit touches take just a moment.

• To touch a person’s body is to touch them emotionally.
• Physical touch in times of crisis can be the most important thing you do.
• If you’re not comfortable with physical touch, start with something simple.

• Three questions to help you speak love to your spouse:
• 1. “What can I do to help you ?”
• 2. “How can I make your life easier ?”
• 3. “How can I be a better spouse to you ?”

The key to motivation is having the attitude of Christ toward your spouse.

Updates for August 12th

• If you have not selected your choices for our next Bible Study, please do so immediately. Check your email for the choices. Check your SPAM folder if you can not find it in your inbox.

• We will finish with our present study, "The 5 Love Languages," on Wednesday, August 19th. 

• The NEW STUDY will begin on Wednesday, August 26th. We look forward to seeing you.!!!!!

SESSION FIVE – 

LOVE LANGUAGE FOUR

Acts of Service

• Actions speak louder than words.

• Giving your spouse information about what would be a meaningful act of service to you is important.

• Make a list of the things you would like your spouse to do for you.

• Number the items in order of importance to you.

• Listen to your spouse’s complaints and you will know how to express love.

• A good example of acts of service: the life of Jesus.

• The very heart of love is an attitude of serving the other person.

Receiving Gifts

Update from July 29th

SESSION Four – 

Love Language Three:

Receiving Gifts

A gift is a visible sign of love.

To the individual whose primary love language is gifts, it doesn’t matter how much the gift costs.

What if gift giving doesn’t come naturally?

1. Make a list of the gifts you have heard your spouse comment on through the years.
2. Recruit your spouse’s family to help you.
3. Give whatever is comfortable for you to give.
4. Make a list of comments your spouse makes about things he/she would like to have.

The gift of presence means being with your spouse in times of
celebration and crisis.

If having your spouse with you is important to you, tell him/her.

Update - The 5 Love languages

Update from Wednesday, July 22nd

SESSION THREE – 

Love Language Two:

Quality Time

Quality time means giving your spouse your undivided attention.

Dialects of Quality Time

1. Quality conversation

         How to Foster Quality Conversation

         1. Maintain eye contact.

        

        2. Don’t do anything else while you are listening.

         

       3. Observe your spouse’s body language.

         

       4. Don’t interrupt each other.

     

Quality conversation involves self-revelation.

       Two personality types in conversation

        1. The Dead Sea

        2. The Babbling Brook

2. Quality activities